This digest addresses the decline in the willingness of U.S. youth to participate in service to the community or nation and suggests service learning as a possible remedy for the decline. There are long-term benefits of service learning: (1) helping to build community support for education; (2) facilitating a closer bond between school, community, and home; and (3) endowing students with a sense of civic efficacy and the sense that they can have a positive impact on civic affairs. Suggestions on how to structure an effective service learning program are provided. Contains eight references. (EH)